Annual Gran Turismo Awards Ceremony Honors Automotive Excellence and
Immortalizes SEMA's Hottest Car into the World's Best Selling Racing Game
Franchise
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc. (SCEA), publisher of the Gran Turismo(TM) series, the world's best
selling racing game franchise with over 47 million units shipped worldwide,
hosted the fifth annual Gran Turismo Awards last night in conjunction with
the 2007 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) auto show in Las
Vegas. This year's highly anticipated event featured a distinguished
line-up of automotive entries from top SEMA show exhibitors representing
five categories, all vying for the coveted "Best in Show" title, which went
to Marcel Horn for his 2007 Audi TT.
For the top honor, Marcel Horn's exceptional 2007 Audi TT will be
immortalized as a featured vehicle in a future iteration of the Gran
Turismo franchise, allowing millions of fans worldwide to race his vehicle.
Last year's Best in Show award winning 1960 Chevrolet Corvette will be
unveiled in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, available on PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM))
computer entertainment system in North America in 2008.
"The 2007 Gran Turismo Awards showcases the collaboration between the
automotive culture and the gaming industry," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed
creator of the racing franchise and President of developer Polyphony
Digital, Inc. "We are proud to honor auto enthusiasts for their passion of
cars, and to celebrate the automotive lifestyle that Gran Turismo
embodies."
About the Judging For the Gran Turismo Awards
Prior to the SEMA show, exhibitors are invited to register their car
for the Gran Turismo Awards. The Gran Turismo Awards honor five automotive
categories, including "Best Domestic," "Best European Import," "Best Hot
Rod," "Best Japanese Import," and "Best Truck/SUV." The winners of each
category go head-to-head in a final round of competition for "Best in
Show," and for the opportunity to have their vehicle immortalized in the
next edition of the Gran Turismo franchise.
The judging panel consists of respected automotive journalists who have
been chosen for their individual expertise to evaluate contestants. "Best
of Class" winners are determined by each judge solely on their choice for
the vehicle with the most well-balanced performance, style and speed. The
top-honor "Best in Show" award is selected from the five category winners
by the creator of the Gran Turismo franchise, Kazunori Yamauchi.
About the 2007 Gran Turismo Award Winners
Held on November 1st at Las Vegas hot spot Tryst inside the Wynn Hotel
& Casino, award winners and VIPs of the automotive industry were witness to
the fifth annual Gran Turismo Awards ceremony followed by a special live
performance. At the event, party guests were also given an exclusive
opportunity to test their driving skills on an early version of Gran
Turismo 5 Prologue prior to its 2008 release. Setting the bar to
unprecedented heights of realism, quality of design and physics technology,
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue continues to obscure the line between simulation
and reality.
In addition to his "Best in Show" trophy -- a custom-lasered PS3 and
intricate display case -- and a "Best European Import" award, winner Marcel
Horn will set a new standard for visibility among auto enthusiasts as his
vehicle will be drivable in a future Gran Turismo property. Previous Gran
Turismo Awards Best in Show winners include Stephen Papadakis (2005) and
his 2004 Honda S2000, Marcel Horn (2004) and his one-of-kind HPA Volkswagen
R32 and Ted and Sue Richardson of Oregon (2003) with their 1962 Buick
Special. Both cars from 2003 and 2004 can be seen in Gran Turismo 4 for the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.
The individual category 2007 GT Award winners include:
"Best European Import" -- Marcel Horn; 2007 Audi TT
"Best Domestic Automobile" -- Gary Cheney; 2007 Factory Five GTM
"Best Hot Rod" -- Jim and Mike Ring; 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
"Best Japanese Import" -- Michael Chung; 2007 Nissan 350Z
"Best Truck / SUV" -- Mike DeFord; 2007 Dodge Ram
In addition to the awards ceremony, guests of the 2007 Gran Turismo
Awards were treated to a special performance by one of today's hottest
singer songwriters, Chris Cornell. Cornell rocked the crowded house with
his famous catalog of songs that he has written and performed with world
famous bands such as Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave as well
as during his solo career.
To obtain images from the 2007 Gran Turismo Awards, please visit the
official SCEA press center:
http://www.us.playstation.com/presscenter
Username: SCEA
Password: SC3APR.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console,
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3
(PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services
the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and
develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one,
PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 for the North American market. Based in Foster
City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as
headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.playstation.com.
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP", "PS" Family logo and "PS one" are
registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "PS3" and
"SIXAXIS" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
(c) 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All manufacturers, cars,
names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks
and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. All rights
reserved. Any depiction or recreation of real world locations, entities,
businesses, or organizations is not intended to be or imply any sponsorship
or endorsement of this game by such party or parties.
"PDI logo" is a registered trademarks and Gran Turismo is a trademark
of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The Drive of Your Life is a registered
trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
CONTACT:
Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585,
Ron_Eagle@PlayStation.Sony.com, or Scott Goryl, +1-858-824-5792,
Scott_Goryl@PlayStation.Sony.com, both of Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc.
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